Early season accolades have begun rolling in for Thomas Haugh and the Gators.
Blue Ribbon Yearbook Names Gators Preseason No. 1, Haugh First-Team All-America
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Chris Dortch's Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook has tabbed Florida as its preseason No. 1 team and Thomas Haugh as preseason first-team All-America.
The Gators return 11 players, including four starters, and 81.8% of its scoring from last season's SEC championship and NCAA 1-seed squad that posted a 27-8 overall record and cleared the SEC field by three games with a 16-2 conference record.
Haugh earned consensus All-America honors last season after leading the Gators with 17.1 points per game. Along with Haugh, UF returns double-figure scorers in Alex Condon (15.1), Boogie Fland (11.6) and Rueben Chinyelu (10.9). Chinyelu added 11.2 rebounds, becoming the first Gator in 50 years to average a double-double while earning UF's first Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honor. Returners also include SEC Sixth Man of the Year Urban Klavzar (9.6 ppg) and junior wing Isaiah Brown (5.5 ppg).
Florida is set to face a minimum of nine other teams featured in the Blue Ribbon preseason Top 25, with the possibility of adding more during the Players Era 8 in November.
The Gators open exhibition action vs. Baylor on Oct. 18 in Jacksonville and tip the regular season Nov. 2 vs. Miami in Tampa.
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Gator fans can verify their identity to become Swamp Certified and unlock access to exclusive ticket opportunities, including select presales before tickets go on sale to the general public. Fans are also encouraged to complete the Gators Ticket Interest Form to receive information on future ticket opportunities, including mini plans, single-game tickets, premium seating and group options.
Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason Top 25
The Gators return 11 players, including four starters, and 81.8% of its scoring from last season's SEC championship and NCAA 1-seed squad that posted a 27-8 overall record and cleared the SEC field by three games with a 16-2 conference record.
Haugh earned consensus All-America honors last season after leading the Gators with 17.1 points per game. Along with Haugh, UF returns double-figure scorers in Alex Condon (15.1), Boogie Fland (11.6) and Rueben Chinyelu (10.9). Chinyelu added 11.2 rebounds, becoming the first Gator in 50 years to average a double-double while earning UF's first Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honor. Returners also include SEC Sixth Man of the Year Urban Klavzar (9.6 ppg) and junior wing Isaiah Brown (5.5 ppg).
Florida is set to face a minimum of nine other teams featured in the Blue Ribbon preseason Top 25, with the possibility of adding more during the Players Era 8 in November.
The Gators open exhibition action vs. Baylor on Oct. 18 in Jacksonville and tip the regular season Nov. 2 vs. Miami in Tampa.
Get Swamp Certified
Gator fans can verify their identity to become Swamp Certified and unlock access to exclusive ticket opportunities, including select presales before tickets go on sale to the general public. Fans are also encouraged to complete the Gators Ticket Interest Form to receive information on future ticket opportunities, including mini plans, single-game tickets, premium seating and group options.
Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason Top 25
- Florida
- Duke
- Illinois
- Michigan State
- Arizona
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Houston
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Vanderbilt
- Michigan
- Miami
- Missouri
- Virginia
- Kansas
- Iowa State
- Louisville
- Kentucky
- St. John's
- Alabama
- USC
- Gonzaga
- Ohio State
- North Carolina
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